Computers, Heat and Bean Dip (it's too hot to think of a real title)

Has it really been 3 weeks since the last time I posted something?! *sigh* I guess that's what happens when the computer blows up. Ok, not really. It crashed on July 12. Just absolutely froze and the only thing I could do was hit the power button and restart it. That didn't really help. It just went through this cycle of crash dumps followed by "windows has recovered from an unexpected crash, how would you like to restart the computer?" Yeah. I can fix minor issues, but this was waaaaaay beyond me. So the next day it went to visit the tech guys in a local town. One week later, it was supposedly fixed. They told me it was running a little slow (which I can live with) but it was up and going! Yippeeee! So I went to pick it up. Uhhhhh yeah. It still didn't work. So I took it back. Tech guy #2 told me that since it had crashed again so quickly (as in, me trying to turn it on) it might mean there was an issue with the hard-drive, but they'd do what they could. So poor little laptop got it's memory wiped, hard-drive reformatted and programs and pictures put back on.  Two weeks after it had been dropped off the first time, it was finally home! And working great........ for about 12 hours. Then it crashed. Froze. No turning back on. Tech guy told me that meant it was a problem with the hard-drive. And how much moolah does it take to replace a hard-drive? Well, too much. That computer has other issues anyway. The battery doesn't hold a charge for more than 10 minutes (yes, really) and the adapter cord has to be almost constantly wiggled to keep it plugged in. So the computer is resting in peace. Or at least I hope it is. If anyone would like a laptop shaped paper-weight, please let me know! (Did I mention that stupid thing is only 3 years old?)


Since it has been quite toasty here in Kansas for the past several weeks, the cooking has been far less adventurous. Sorry, but I just cannot bring myself to turn on the oven when it's 110 degrees outside! (Though it might be fun to try one of those baking on the sidewalk ideas) The poor a.c. can barely keep up as it is, I don't feel the need to add to it's distress. 

See how pretty the backyard looks?

Yes, that REALLY does say "21 inches." How long has it been since it rained anyway?

So there have been a lot of quick heat up meals and stove top things like Sloppy Joes. That's not really blog-worthy food. But there is one recipe which has become my go-to recipe for when I'm just not in the mood to cook or oops! We're out of food 'cause I forgot to go to the store! (c'mon, you know it happens to you too) This recipe was kind of a happy accident several years ago. 

1 cup of rice
1 can of black olives (coarsely chopped)
1 can of re-fried beans
1-1 1/2 cups of salsa (your choice)


Cook the rice (I use instant rice because I like to cheat), I drain the liquid from the can of black olives and cook the rice in that instead of water. The black olive liquid should be 1 cup. Every time I've bothered to measure this, it's come out close enough to 1 cup that I've quite measuring and just dump it in.


While the rice is cooking, coarsely chop the black olives. When the rice is done, add the olives, beans and salsa. To be honest, I've never measured how much salsa I use, I just dump it in there until it looks good. I use "On the Border" salsa in medium, feel free to use whatever you like. Stir it all together and heat for about 3 more minutes, stirring occasionally. Go find the tortilla chips and dig in!